" The table is set perfectly, for 'tea for two'. (and the piece of cake is ready too). I am really looking forward to this. There is still a good half an hour left for my guest to arrive as per the text I just got. Suddenly the door bell rings.............. "
....and in comes my long lost, and a little forgotten (please, pardon the Gemini in me), friend from the other side. She is everything I am not - respectful to all elders (deserving/undeserving), dedicated of her duty in the household, self-starter, serious, yet can induce laughter when occasion demands, studious, diligent, marvel in the kitchen, phew...the list is endless. She had disappeared a few years ago among rumors of forced marriage, where she apparently went on a "family" honeymoon...
Years have changed her. Her eyes are that of a stranger. So what is she doing here? My guests are going to arrive soon...how will I tell them that the tea-party is cancelled, as my friend of 18 years, even if she was absent for the last 5 years of them, takes precedence over every and anything. She would not have come if there was not something absolutely important for her, if things had not become too much for her to bear.
I am about to ask her how has she been along with a thousand other questions racing through my mind; but before I can say anything, she smiles, tilts her head in the age-perfected manner, and says,"Thanks for inviting me tonight, I am Shivani, your friend Hitesh's date for the tea-party. He is coming here from the office; he gave me your address and asked me to reach here directly. I must this Alice in Wonderland theme tea-party was a totally wonderful idea. So different form any other New Year parties I have ever attended. So tell me what made you think of this? I here you are a writer...."
Her remaining words became merged into each other to form a kind of static noise. I am sure my impression of a dumb, mute person spooked her, for she is till date not too comfortable around me. This after knowing the reason of my state of shock that night. I was taught the meaning of the word doppelgänger in style. Because any other explanation is just too bizarre, right?
